Absolutely Fantastic

Meet Stanlei Klein

Stenlei is Iolanda's father.  He is nearing retirement as a chemistry professor at a prestigious university in Araracuara. He and his wife live in a beautiful house just outside of downtown with a lovely garden, small pool, covered barbecue patio and another covered area with a pool table.  Pockets in Brazilian tables are smaller.   I've realized how terrible I am at their game.  The Kleins have three daughters ranging from 29-35 years.

Stanlei was very excited to have us in his home for five days, and I can't describe exactly how much fun it has been.  On the second day, as he was finishing preparing and marinating wild goat leg and ribs for the evening's party, I wandered around the house and took a look at his music collection.  He has hundreds of CDs in a glass case in the middle of the house.  It took me only a few seconds to realize two things.  1) We have IDENTICAL taste in music.   2) He knows his stuff.   My favorite bands consist of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Rolling Stones and Stevie Ray Vaughan.  He has everything.  Every Zeppelin album, two copies of every Pink Floyd album, including Animals(Impossible to find on Vinyl), 7 or 8 of Jimi, Stones and Stevie Ray.  Our favorite CSN album is Deja Vu.  Our favorite Pink album is Dark Side of the Moon(not terribly surprising).  We both love Bob Dylan as a lyricist, but don't like his style of music.  Other bands in his collection consist of The Beatles, Jethro Tull, Nirvana, U2, Santana, Allman Brothers, Simon and Garfunkel and many more.

     Absolutely Fantastic.

I chased him down as soon as I could stop admiring his collection.  He had just finished with the goat and was drying his hands.  I told him what I had just discovered, and our similar tastes in music.  He immediately smiled and shook my hand.  We walked back to his CDs and he showed me some of his favorites, we talked about what we liked about different bands.  When I say "we talked", I mean he explained in perfect detail what was happening in different songs, and I listened and tried to keep up.   I am relatively new into following and enjoying classic quality music - I got my record player in March of 2013.  He explained things about songs that I have been listening to consistently for over a year that I had never been able to hear, and in turn, enjoy.  His description of the art of the slide guitar, our favorite style of guitar playing, was spot on.  He would go on to describe how certain songs and bands remind him more of an orchestral composition over a rock song the way certain instruments are put together.  He had the highest regard for Jethro Tull.  The band consists of drums, classical guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, flute and an electric piano that switches from classic to a synthesizer sound.  One of their most popular songs is Thick as a Brick.  I have it on my most played playlist on Spotify, and have probably heard it 50 times.  As many times as I've heard it, I've never really heard it.  I've listened to it, but I've never listened to it.  Turns out, Thick as a Brick is not only a song, but also a Full album!  A 43-minute song.  It only took me one time listening to it to change my opinion.

     Absolutely Fantastic.

I'm outside next to the pool on Tuesday afternoon.  It's about 75 degrees, a slight breeze and not a cloud in the sky(yes, it's in the middle of winter here).  I'm watching the sun slowly slip behind the neighbor's house. The shade from the peak comprised of clay tiles is slowly crawling up my chest.  My head phones shut me off from any other thoughts.  Just my pen and paper as company.  Thick as a Brick starts slow.  Light drum work, simple lyrics and a soothing acoustic guitar quickly followed by soft flute work.  My toes move with the guitar.  Piano enters as the flute takes a short break before livening up again.  My head starts to bounce with the flute.  A little electric guitar before a more vigorous feel from the flute and matching drums.  I'm clenching my jaw while softly swaying my head rhythmically in no specific path.   The whole song flows in and out of peaceful folk to stressful but rhythmic hard rock and the slightest hint of jazz and something I just don't understand.  It's not a song, not an album, but an experience.  Stanlei admitted that after listening to it, he can be pulled out of any sour mood.  Getting well past the 40-minute mark, the experience elevates in tempo for the last time, flute and electric guitar in the forefront with the style of my body movement to the music provided by the back and forth bouncing of the drum and bass together.  The orchestral feeling is alive with a small inclusion of a string ensemble before closing with the electric keyboard followed by a soft acoustic guitar with the lead singer's final chorus.  The sun was barely completely out of direct sight with the closing words of "cause you're thick... as a brick". It went far beyond pleasing my auditory senses as a soothing song.  I didn't only listen to it, I felt it.  A sensation few musical performances have on me.

     "Absolutely Fantastic".

I'm convinced this is Stanlei's favorite phrase, which he used at least 15 times to describe music, especially during our conversation about Thick as a Brick.  A strong Brazilian accent, but a soft and graceful tone of voice.  Just as the flute and drums work together in Thick as a Brick for a perfect fit, his accent, tone of voice and the two words used, along with his use of hands are a perfect fit.

     Absolutely Fantastic.

US v Portugal

Again, 6 in the morning and I can't sleep.  What a game last night.  Who would have thought that we would be UPSET about tying with Portugal... the #4 ranked team in the world...?!?   Not only that, but we were the FAR better team.  We went to a bar in town - hoping to find a bar that was busy with people going there to watch the game.  We couldn't really find anywhere, so just went to the last bar we drove by.   It was a cracker of a game, so by 30 minutes in, everyone who was there to eat or socialize ended up being glued to the game.   I probably only sat for 10 minutes in total during the second half.  I was up and down like the obnoxious American I am.   Bennett and I both think that our cheering created a pro-USA mentality throughout the bar, as everyone seemed to be cheering for USA by the end of the game.  I didn't really notice anyone else all game, though.   What a game.    And yes, if you're wondering, I was Free'd up from the Feet up.  Stars and Stripes Vans high-tops, USA Flag socks, USMNT scarf.  I left my flag bandana in the car.  The only thing I was missing was Uncle Sam boxers.

Here are my thoughts for the game:

US changed from a 4-4-2 diamond midfield to a 4-2-3-1.  Dempsey playing the high forward, Bradley right behind him.  I think this was the right choice vs. Portugal, regardless of Altidore's availability. the diamond midfield leaves us open at DCM and we don't have the skill in the midfield to possess well with tight outside midfielders.  Bradley was much better in the role of ACM in this formation, although I still think he's better than how he played yesterday.    Once we settled in 5-10 minutes after the goal, and Bradley was able to trust the defensive work of his DCMs, the game opened up for the boys in white.   I still like Bradley better as a holding mid, as his tireless workrate and tackling capabilities are fantastic.     I expected Portugal to be a lot better.  Sure, they were missing Pepe and Fabio Coentrao, and Postiga had to come off early, but we had the run of play for practically the whole game.   Jones was absolutely fantastic.  He covered a ton of ground, broke up everything through the middle, and is Fabian Johnson's new best friend with how many times he found him wide right.  Johnson was equally fantastic.  He forced Ronaldo out of his comfort zone, spent 90 minutes working like a dog up and down the field, and did it all to a world class team in Portugal.

Howard should have done better on two occasions, but he also did his job and came up big on a few other occasions.  Let's just say he's better than Casillas :)   Other than going down a little too early on the first goal, and somehow not getting enough on the shot from distance that ended up bouncing off the post, sparking a remarkable fingertip save, he was world class.

Back line:
Beyond my expectations.  I knew  next to nothing about Fabian Johnson coming into the tournament, but he's been the most impressive US player for me. His ability to get up and down the field, services from wide positions, and his 1v1 defending skills were great.  Ronaldo couldn't get by him early in the game and started roaming.  He wasn't dangerous going through the middle, and couldn't get anything started on the left.  He had a miserable first 94 minutes and 30 seconds. I attribute a lot of that to Johnson. Unfortunately Ronaldo only needs to be brilliant once in a game to get that result.  It's not a tough statement to say Cameron was awful, missing that vital clearance, he had 1-2 more that were very poor as well.  He was also partially responsible for the final goal by letting his mark free.  Besler was good.  My expectations of Damarcus Beasley were very low to start, and I don't think he was terrible, but he was an obvious weak link on the field.  I don't remember who was marking Ronaldo when he served in the final ball, but it was on Beasley's side.

Midfield 3:
It took a little time for them to settle down.  Bradley started the game trying to do too much.  He was crowding Jones and Beckerman in the DCMs, especially in possession.  The result led to Dempsey being left alone up top because there was no link-up play.  Once Bradley settled and stayed higher, things started opening up.  I also think Beckerman wasn't quick enough overall.  Too slow to distribute on the ball, not stepping into the right spaces to link the forward 4 and the back 4, and we were open to the counter because of it.       And then there's Jones.  Oh, Jones, how you won everyone's heart yesterday.  Everyone knows how clutch and how incredibly impressive that goal was.  His break-up ability in the middle made it very difficult for Portugal to possess through the middle, especially in the middle third of the field.   I attribute much of Portugal's failure to Jones' break-up play defensively.  Covered a Bradley or Alonso amount of the field, got stuck in on numerous occasions.  He got a yellow late(which is scary going into the Germany game, we can't lose him in the 2nd round) for a soft tackle, which was probably more for persistent infringement, but I can't be sure with the level of referees thus far in the tournament  :/   Overall, I think the midfield 3 were fantastic from the 10th minute on.

Wingers/Dempsey:
I think the problem with the 4-2-3-1 is that we don't have any natural wingers.  Bedoya was absent.  Not terrible, just absent.  I can't really say if he was absent because we didn't go wide left when he was in, or if he was absent because his off-ball movement was poor.  But I don't see him starting against Germany.  I think he was likely told to be a bit more withdrawn to help Beasley on the left side.     I expected a lot more out of Zusi.  He's put on the field to send in good crosses, as he has many times before.  His corners were terrible, and I can't quite recall if he had a single good cross all game, either into a dangerous area or by picking someone out.  Then again, his sub-par corner led to the Jones wonderstrike, and he had the assist to Dempsey that put the states up 2-1, so maybe it's OK in the end.       Yedlin.YYYYeeeddddllin.   YEEEDDDLLLINNNNNNNNNNNN!   Congrats to the young man.  I knew that if he were to get in this tournament, it would be late in the game to help the back line bunker down if we were tied or beating Portugal.  His recovery speed and tenacity was huge.  It was glorious to see him send that ball in for the 2nd goal.  I totally lost it in the bar.  I'm choking up just thinking about the play.  So proud of him.        Also, I think Donovan would have been a good inclusion in this game.
Dempsey played very well.  He's a very versatile player, can play a lot of different roles in a lot of different positions and formations.  USMNT would be much different without him. It's too bad that he has to play the high forward, as I love him as a withdrawn striker, playing off of an Altidore-type player.  Martins, anyone??

Klinsmann:
The 12th man yesterday.   In Klinsmann we trust.  Made the right lineup and formation to start the game, made the right tactical subs at the right time, has prepared this young side with mediocre talent very well.  Shut down Ronaldo.  Utilized our strengths, hid our weaknesses.  Putting in Yedlin in the 70-somethingth at right wing was perfect.  The correct, but somewhat obvious decision to sub Zusi for Omar Gonzales late to preserve the victory.    Klinsmann did everything right, but as he quickly figured out, USMNT is not Germany.  Small and big mistakes made that game 2-2, nothing Klinsmann could have done better, in my opinion.

Brazil in Pictures. ...so far

A few things we've done and seen in Brazil thus far.  I haven't taken my camera many places, as it's big and screams money.

 Some building in Brasilia.

 In front of the capital building

 The "Golden Gate Bridge" of Brazil.  I guess.

 This is a beautiful country

 The sights just don't stop.

 Bennett in front of Estadio Nacional - Brasilia.  We'll be there on 6/30!

 We were way up front and center.

 At the FIFA Fan Fest.  We met a ton of people

 The guy on the right spoke English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, French, a little Italian and one or two more languages.  Wow.

 Jose - the owner/operator of Pizza do Ze.  Great memories.

 Tourist pictures!   Joao - our fantastic host - and his fantastic face.

 'Murica

 Joao's friends.  They say Bennett looks like Schweinstagger

 I'm in my own little world listening to music - Stanlei, Iolanda's dad has a phenomenal collection of music.

 Jogao - loves whisky, an awesome guy.

Iolanda on the left - Happy Birthday!

This place rocks

Learning Portuguese

As I posted before, I came to Brazil expecting to be able to get by with my basic knowledge of Spanish in order to communicate with the locals.  I’ve found that, although Spanish is more similar to Portuguese than English, which helps me drastically in learning the language by already knowing the phrasing, structure and tense organization, the words and pronunciations of letters are much different than Spanish or English. 

Some words are pronounced similarly but spelled differently.  English=Heart.  Spanish=Corazon.  Portuguese=Coracao.  Both Spanish and Portuguese are pronounced core-ah-zone.  English=team. Spanish=.  Portugese=Time.  Portuguese pronunciation is Chee-may.  Some words are totally different in every way.  (En)Joke=(Sp)chiste=(Po)piada. 

Pronunciations of many letters and groups of letters are much different and difficult for my American accent to handle.  Here are my pathetic attempts at describing Brazilian phonetics

• Ao, or oao - Ao is pronounced almost like a very fast wow. I was told to try to use my nose while saying ao.
• J - almost exclusively sounded like a soft, but slightly raspy G.  Joao is pronounced zgoh-wow, but very fast. 
• D – sounded dj.  Piada(joke) is pronounced pia-dja
• R – This is the toughest one.  No sound in the English language is used.  R’s are pronounced more like a grindy, hard H.  Recife is pronounced more like hhay-schee-fay.  Again, my pathetic attempt at Portuguese
• T – More like ch.  Time – team is pronounced Chee-may.    

When I realized how drastic the difference between the languages on Wednesday evening at the FIFA Fan Fest, I was a little afraid or nervous that I would have a difficult time communicating.  What I quickly found out was two things:  1:  All Brazilians with whom I have communicated are not only very patient with my severely limited Portuguese, they are also very happy that I’m trying(I’m trying=eu esto tantando).   Some people, like me, are trying to learn English.  We speak some sentences in very simple English, where I have to attempt to explain in Portuguese.  We will then have a very simple conversation in Portuguese, where they will have to try to explain in English when I don’t understand a word or phrase.  Our friend Joao was a very good translator, but whenever possible I’m trying to communicate without his help. 

I’m getting very good at some phrases. 

• Thank you = obrigato.  Brazilians pronounce it “bree-gat” for short
• I don’t speak Portuguese = Eu nao falo Portugese
• I don’t understand = Eu nao entendo
• Speak slower= fala mais devagar
• How do you say/pronounce/spell= Comose diz/pronuncia/escreve
• Good morning/day/afternoon/night = boa manana/dia/tarde/noite

I’ve arrived at Iolanda’s house in Araracara(sp??).  More to come on this later, but everyone speaks English in her family.  Honestly, I’m a little disappointed I won’t be pushed to continue practicing.

Below is a picture of Me, Bennett, Joao and his Mother.  It was very fun speaking Portuguese with her.  She could speak one word of English.  "Hello".  The sweetest woman imaginable.

Breakout players to watch

This is long overdue, but here is my list of young breakout players to watch: 

Miralem Pjanic - Bosnia & Hersegovina - CM #8
Joel Cambell - Costa Rica - Winger. #9. Arsenal player!
Paul Pogba - France - CM #19
Romelu Lukaku - Belgium - CF #9
Nabil Bentaleb - Algeria - Forward/ACM #14
Matteo Kovacic - Croatia - CM. #20
Adnan Januzaj - Belgium - Right Mid. #20
James Rodriguez - Columbia - Winger #10
Xherdan Shaqiri - Switzerland - Winger #23

Day 1: Complete

Where to start...

It's 7:00 am and I've come downstairs to the area with wifi to post an update.  I woke up at 6 and couldn't get back to sleep.  Once my mind starts going, it just doesn't stop.

Yesterday started slow after 28 hours of travel getting into Brasilia.  Bennett and I took a taxi about 10 miles from our apartment to the FIFA Fan Fest.  They set up loudspeakers, a bunch of TVs and concessions stands for people to come and watch games being played in other cities.  The area was huge, and my very rough and probably far from accurate estimation was about 30,000 people were there for the Brazil/Mexico game.    We got set up 30 minutes before kickoff in a perfect space ~30 yards from the big screen, right in the middle.

Brazil was underwhelming, but still deserved to put a goal in.  Mexico was impressive, but nothing special.  A fair result, in my opinion, although Brazil was more deserving of a victory if I had to choose.  The game was very exciting, especially right in the middle of a crowd of 30,000 Brazil fans.  The last 10-15 minutes, especially got intense with a lot of action both ways and two great saves from Ochoa.  The game was an amazing experience, but nothing compared to what happened next.  After a long day in the sun Bennett and I were both very tired.  We decided we would watch the first half of the next game then cab home.

We were the only Americans there.  Apparently Brazilians like Americans.  People periodically came up to us and asking to take pictures with us.  That turned into a few basic smiles and broken conversations.  Next was wave after wave of people wanting to socialize with us, and before we knew it the game, the post-match performance and the closing of the Fan Fest happened, and we were the last few people to leave the area three hours later.   I had learned very quickly that Spanish is much different than Portuguese, and nobody speaks English.  Communicating is very hard, and although the periodic translator would arrive and help in broken English, we used a lot of hand gestures and very few common Spanish or English words.  I'm sitting here trying to describe in words what I experienced, but nothing will do it justice.  there was so much excitement from everybody, so much love and joy.

To quote the great Ron Burgundy - "Boy... that escalated quickly, I mean that really got out of hand fast"

Time for sleep.  Thinking the night was over, we get back to the apartment and speak with Joao for a couple minutes.  He directs us to a pizza place down the street.  Assuming we would get the pizza to go and head back up to the apartment, we grab menus and sit at the bar, about ready to order.  The chef comes up to us with a look of curiosity and excitement in his eye.  "English?".  I respond.  "Are you from... USA?"  I respond.  "Welcome.  This excite to me".  We thought his english was terrible to start, but the more he spoke, the clearer he became and the more we realized that his vocabulary was very good, especially for not having any schooling.

What transpired over the next two hours was amazing.   Jose, or Ze, spoke with us about everything. He visited Miami, spent time with rednecks, dreams of opening a Pizza joint in the US, hates FIFA and how corrupt they are, and thinks baseball is boring.  We got along great.   I hope to see him again before we go to Sao Paulo.

That's all for now.  More pictures to come soon.  

First Post

The first of an unknown amount of  blog posts from the trip of a lifetime!

Throughout the next 19 days, from June 15th to July 4th, I'll be traveling to and around Brazil to experience the country and the World Cup.  I'll post when I can, and when there's something pertinent to post.  Hoping to drive this thing with pictures.
Thanks for reading/looking!